Method and Apparatus for Programming a Decoder-based Irrigation Controller

ABSTRACT

A decoder-based irrigation controller comprising a controller housing; a first microcontroller within the controller housing; a decoder interface coupled to the first microcontroller; and a handheld user device, wherein the handheld user device comprises an optical imaging device configured to read an optically readable pattern from each of the plurality of decoder units, wherein the handheld user device is configured to cause data read from the optically readable pattern of the plurality of decoder units to be transferred to the first microcontroller, and wherein the data read comprises an address of each of the plurality of decoder units.

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.15/967,513, filed Apr. 30, 2018 (Docket No. 8473-142942-US), which is acontinuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/521,277, filed Oct. 22,2014 (Docket No. 8473-133502-US), now U.S. Pat. No. 9,980,442, which isa continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/837,381, filed Jul. 15,2010 (Docket No. 8473-92223-US), now U.S. Pat. No. 8,897,899. All ofthese applications are incorporated in their entirety herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to irrigation controllers, andmore specifically to a method of programming a decoder-based irrigationcontroller.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Decoder-based controllers and modular controllers are being usedincreasingly in the field. Some decoder-based controllers function as“standalone” controllers while other decoder-based controllers comprisea personal computer (PC) that runs central control software andfunctions as a central irrigation controller for tens (or hundreds) ofirrigation stations. Irrigation control signals are distributed to thestations using a field interface unit that encodes the appropriatecontrol signals onto a power signal (e.g., a sinusoidal alternatingpower signal) applied to a two-wire path. The decoders are coupled tothe two-wire path to derive their operational power and decode thecontrol signals from the two-wire path to control the actuation of astation coupled to the decoder.

With current decoder-based controllers, the controller must beprogrammed to record the association of decoders with stations. Thisrequires that the user manually enter the data into the controller.Further, in many instances, the programming of the controller must becompleted before the in-field installation of the decoders. Thisrequires that the user predesignate the association of the decoders withstations. Furthermore, because the information must be enteredbeforehand, the user is required to install the irrigation controllerbefore the installation of the decoders.

As such, a need exists for a method of programming a decoder-basedcontroller which overcomes the limitation of the current methods ofprogramming the irrigation controller.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Several embodiments of the invention advantageously address the needsabove as well as other needs by providing a decoder-based irrigationcontroller comprising a microcontroller; and a first connector coupledto the microcontroller and configured to couple to a reader, wherein thereader comprises an optical reader configured to read an opticallyreadable pattern, wherein the first connector is further configured tocouple an input from the reader to the microcontroller; and wherein themicrocontroller is configured to interpret the input from the reader andperform an action at the decoder-based irrigation controller accordingto the input.

In another embodiment, a method comprises receiving an input at adecoder-based irrigation controller from a reader, wherein the readercomprises an optical reader configured to read an optically readablepattern; interpreting the input from the reader; and performing anaction at the decoder-based irrigation controller according to theinput.

In another embodiment, a method for programming a decoder-basedirrigation controller comprises associating a decoder unit with at leasta first station, removing a decoder address indicator provided with thedecoder unit and corresponding to an address of the decoder unit,wherein the decoder address indicator is machine readable and recordingthe decoder address indicator onto a programming chart onto an areadesignated for a decoder address associated with the first station

In another embodiment, the invention can be characterized as a methodfor programming a decoder-based irrigation controller comprisingassociating a decoder unit with at least a first station of a pluralityof stations, recording a decoder address of the decoder unit having beenassociated with the first station onto a programming chart onto an areadesignated for the decoder address associated with the first station,and inputting the decoder address into the decoder-based irrigationcontroller in order to register the association of the decoder unit withthe first station, wherein the programming chart includes globalinformation pertaining to the plurality of stations, where the user canview the global information simultaneously with the recorded decoderaddress in the area designated for the decoder address associated withthe first station.

In yet another embodiment, the invention may be characterized as aprogramming chart for use in programming a decoder-based irrigationcontroller comprising a first medium having first viewable indiciathereon and defining a station specific portion, the first viewableindicia comprising a station number area corresponding to one or morestations being controlled by a decoder-based irrigation controller andincluding a station number for each station, a decoder address areaproximate to the station number area and adapted to receive a recordingindicating an address of a decoder associated with each of the one ormore stations and a plurality of other information areas for each of theone or more stations each being designated to receive informationpertaining to each of the one or more stations.

In another embodiment, the invention may be characterized as adecoder-based irrigation controller comprising a microcontroller and afirst connector coupled to the microcontroller and configured to coupleto a reader, wherein the reader comprises one or more of an opticalreader and an electromagnetic reader, wherein the first connector isfurther configured to couple an input from the reader to themicrocontroller. The microcontroller is configured to interpret theinput from the reader and perform an action at the decoder-basedirrigation controller according to the input.

In yet another embodiment, the invention may be characterized as amethod comprising receiving an input at a decoder-based irrigationcontroller from a reader, wherein the reader comprises one or more of anoptical reader and an electromagnetic reader, interpreting the inputfrom the reader and performing an action at the decoder-based irrigationcontroller according to the input.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and other aspects, features and advantages of severalembodiments of the present invention will be more apparent from thefollowing more particular description thereof, presented in conjunctionwith the following drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a system diagram of an exemplary decoder-basedirrigation control system according to one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a first portion ofdecoder controller in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2B illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a second portion ofdecoder controller in accordance with one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 3A illustrates a first view of a programming chart in accordancewith one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 3B illustrates a second view of the programming chart of FIG. 3A inaccordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a detailed view of one embodiment of a specificportion of a programming chart according to one or more embodiments ofthe present invention.

FIG. 5A illustrates a detailed view of a first side of a global portionof a programming chart according to one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5B illustrates a detailed view of a second side of the globalportion of FIG. 5A according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 5C illustrates a detailed view of the orientation of the globalportion with respect to the programming chart of FIGS. 3A and 3B.

FIG. 5D illustrates an exemplary movement of the general portion withrespect to the specific portion of FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 illustrates a flow diagram of a process for use in programming anirrigation controller according to one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a flow diagram of a process for use in programming anirrigation controller according to one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary decoder unit according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 9 illustrates a reader in the form of a barcode pen being attachedto a decoder-based irrigation controller according to one or moreembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates a block diagram of a decoder-based irrigationcontroller according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention.

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative block diagram of a decoder-basedirrigation controller according to one or more embodiments of thepresent invention.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding componentsthroughout the several views of the drawings. Skilled artisans willappreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicityand clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example,the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggeratedrelative to other elements to help to improve understanding of variousembodiments of the present invention. Also, common but well-understoodelements that are useful or necessary in a commercially feasibleembodiment are often not depicted in order to facilitate a lessobstructed view of these various embodiments of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The following description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but ismade merely for the purpose of describing the general principles ofexemplary embodiments. The scope of the invention should be determinedwith reference to the claims.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “anembodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature,structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodimentis included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus,appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” andsimilar language throughout this specification may, but do notnecessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

Referring first to FIG. 1, an exemplary decoder-based irrigation controlsystem 100 is illustrated according to one or more embodiments. Asillustrated, in one embodiment, the decoder-based system 100 comprisesan irrigation controller 110 in communication with one or more decoders130 a-n. In some embodiments, each decoder 130 a-n is coupled to one ormore stations/master valves 140 and/or sensors 160. In some embodiments,one or more stations 140 each actuate a water flow control valve.

In one embodiment, the irrigation controller 110 includes thefunctionality of traditional central control software and a traditionalfield interface device in the same controller housing 116. That is, thecontroller 110 includes a front panel 112 and a decoder interface 114within the housing 116. In one embodiment, the front panel 112 includesthe user interface to allow the user to program the desired irrigationschedules. In one embodiment, the decoder interface 114 encodes theappropriate control signals onto a power signal, e.g., a sinusoidalalternating power signal, applied to the two-wire path 120.

In an alternative embodiments (not shown), a personal computer (PC) runscentral control software and functions as a central irrigationcontroller for tens (or hundreds) of irrigation stations. Irrigationcontrol signals are distributed to the stations using a field interfaceunit that encodes the appropriate control signals onto a power signal(e.g., a sinusoidal alternating power signal) applied to a two-wirepath. The decoders are coupled to the two-wire path to derive theiroperational power and decode the control signals from the two-wire pathto control the actuation of a station. In some embodiments, the system100 uses sinusoidal AC power signals which are selectively clipped tocommunicate data to the decoders.

In some embodiments, the decoders 130 a-n are coupled to the two-wirepath 120 to derive their operational power and decode the controlsignals from the two-wire path to control the actuation of a station140. In some embodiments, one or more of the decoders 130 a-n containsensor functionality to sense temperature, soil moisture, water flowrate, etc. In one embodiment, as illustrated for example, decoders 130 eand 130 g are sensor decoders and are coupled to sensors such as forexample flow sensors 160. Information may be communicated back from thedecoders to the irrigation controller 110 and/or a central personalcomputer in communication with the irrigation controller 110 via thedecoder interface 114. In one embodiment, system 100 uses sinusoidal ACpower signals which are selectively clipped to communicate data to thedecoders 130 a-n. In another embodiment, the system 100 uses modulatedsquarewave power signals to communicate data to the decoders 130 a-n.

Referring next to FIGS. 2A and 2B, an exemplary embodiment of a decodercontroller 110 in accordance with several embodiments is illustrated. Inone embodiment, the decoder controller 110 includes the front panel 112and the decoder interface 114 contained within the housing 116. In someembodiments, the decoder interface 114 may take the form of a modulethat inserts into the backplane 142 of the controller 110. The frontpanel 112 includes a user interface to allow the user to program thedesired irrigation schedule/s and the decoder interface 114 functions toencode data on power signals delivered to the decoders and/orsensor-decoders via the two-wire path. Next, in some embodiments, thedecoders and/or sensor decoders decode the data and instructions inorder to control irrigation.

In one embodiment, the controller 110 is a modular irrigation controllerthat has an expandable architecture. As shown, in some embodiments, theexpandable architecture irrigation controller 110 is installed in awater-resistant controller housing 116.

The controller housing 116, formed of plastic or other suitablematerial, is designed to withstand various environmental conditions. Inone embodiment, the controller housing 116 includes rear housing 144 anddoor 122 that enclose the electrical components housed within thehousing 116. In one embodiment, the housing 116 encloses the irrigationcontroller components such as the front panel 112 and the decoderinterface module 114, to protect their electronic components andconnections.

FIG. 10 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a decoder-basedirrigation controller according to several embodiments of the presentinvention. In one embodiment, the decoder-based irrigation controller110 comprises a front panel 112 and a decoder interface 114 containedwithin the housing 116. In some embodiments, the controller 110 furthercomprises a power source 170. In one embodiment, the front panel 112 maycomprise a microcontroller 1010 and a connector 1020. In one embodiment,the microcontroller 1010 may comprise a microprocessor 1012 and a memory1014.

The microcontroller 1010 is in communication with the connector 1020,and is further in communication with the decoder interface 114. In oneembodiment, the microcontroller 1010 contains firmware for programmingthe controller 110. In another embodiment, the microcontroller 1010 isconfigured to carry out the irrigation schedules and programs of theirrigation controller and communicate the irrigation commands to thedecoder interface to control one or more field decoders and control oneor more solenoids or sensors.

In several embodiments, the connector 1020 provides a means forconnecting to various external devices providing extra functionality tothe controller 110. In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 10, theconnector 1020 provides a connection to a reader 1000, such as thebarcode pen 900 illustrated in FIG. 9 or other optical orelectromagnetic reader. For example, in one embodiment, the reader 1000is connected to connector 1020 by means of a cable or other connector1050. In some embodiments, the microcontroller 1010 is configured tointerpret signals from the reader 1000 and is further configured toperform one or more actions based on the data corresponding to thesignals.

In one embodiment, the microcontroller 1010 is configured to receiveinput from the reader 1000 connected to front panel by way of connector1020, and use the input to program the controller. For example, in oneembodiment, decoder/station associations may be stored within thecontroller via the input received from the reader 1000 and interpretedby the microcontroller 1010. In such embodiments, the microcontroller1010 may receive the data or input and perform one or more actions basedon the data or input. For example, in one embodiment, themicrocontroller 1010 may cause an association between one or moredecoders and stations to be stored, for example within the memory 1014.The memory 1014 is illustrated as being internal to the microcontroller1010, however, in some embodiments, the memory 1014 may be external tothe microcontroller 1010 and in communication with the microcontroller1010.

In another embodiment, the connector may provide a connection to modularcartridges facilitating several additional functionalities to thecontroller. In one embodiment, the connector provides a connectionbetween the microcontroller 1010 and external cartridges, such that theprogramming of the irrigation controller 110 may be performed by one orboth the microcontroller 1010 and the external modular cartridges.

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary block diagram of a decoder-basedirrigation controller having a programming cartridge according toseveral embodiments of the present invention. As illustrated, thedecoder-based irrigation controller 110 comprises a front panel 112 anda decoder interface 114 contained within the housing 116. In someembodiments, the controller 110 further comprises a power source 170. Inone embodiment, the front panel 112 may comprise a microcontroller 1010and a connector 1020. In one embodiment, a connector 1120 is connectedto a programming cartridge 134 contained within the housing 116. Themicrocontroller 1010 is in communication with the programming cartridge134 through the connector 1120 and is further in communication with thedecoder interface 114.

In one embodiment, the programming cartridge may be attached to the backof the front panel 112 and may be connected by way of a first connector1110 to the front panel connector 1120. In one embodiment, theprogramming cartridge is further in communication with themicrocontroller 1010. For example, in one embodiment, the programmingcartridge 134 is adapted to be removably connected to the back side ofthe front panel 112 within the housing as illustrated in FIG. 2B.

In several embodiments, the programming cartridge 134 receivesoperational power from the front panel 112 when connected. In oneembodiment, the programming cartridge may comprise a microcontroller1130 to provide additional functionality. In one embodiment, theprogramming cartridge 134 comprises the connector 1020 for receivingexternal devices that may provide additional capabilities to theirrigation controller. In one embodiment, the programming cartridge maycomprise the connector 1020 for connecting external devices to theirrigation controller 110 and specifically the front panel 112. In oneembodiment, the programming cartridge 134 may additionally comprisememory (e.g. part of or coupled to the microcontroller 1130) and may actas an additional or backup storage for the front panel.

According to several embodiments, the connector 1020 (e.g., RS-232 orPS/2) allows a reader 1000 such as an optical and/or electromagneticreader and or other reader to be connected to the irrigation controller.For example, in one embodiment the reader 1000 is a barcode pen 900 ofFIG. 9 and is plugged into the cartridge 134. In another embodiment,other readers such as an RFID reader or other electromagnetic reader maybe used. For example, in one embodiment, the reader 1000 is connected toconnector 1020 by means of a cable or other connector 1050. In someembodiments, the reader 1000 may comprise a combination of a barcodereader and an RFID reader.

In one embodiment, the programming cartridge microcontroller 1130 isconfigured to receive input from the reader 1000 and is configured tointerpret the input and/or store data based on the input. For example,in one embodiment the input from the reader 1000 comprises signalscorresponding to data. In one embodiment, the microcontroller 1130receives the input signals and interprets the signals to collect thedata corresponding to the signals. In some embodiments, themicrocontroller 1130 is further configured to perform one or moreactions based on the signals. For example, in one embodiment, asdescribed throughout this specification, the data may comprise decoderaddress and station numbers, and microcontroller 1130 may be configuredto retrieve the data and store associations between decoders and stationnumbers.

In yet another embodiment, the microcontroller 1130 may be configured tosend the data to the microcontroller 1010. In one embodiment, forexample, the microcontroller 1130 of the programming cartridge is a passthrough in that it passes information received from the reader 1000 tothe microcontroller 1010. In one embodiment, the microcontroller 1130translates the signaling from the reader 1000 into data to be processedby the microcontroller 1010 and in a format that is usable by themicrocontroller 1010. The microcontroller 1010 then performs anynecessary actions based on the information received. Additionally, themicrocontroller 1010 may store at least some of the data within itsmemory and/or may cause at least some of the data to be stored in or bythe microcontroller 1130.

For example, in one embodiment, through the connection to the frontpanel, the programming cartridge 134 is in communication with themicrocontroller 1010. In one embodiment, the microcontroller 1010 isconfigured to receive input from the reader 1000 connected to theprogramming cartridge 134, and use the input to program the controller.For example, in one embodiment, decoder/station associations may bestored within the controller via the input received from the reader 1000and interpreted by the microcontroller 1010 and/or microcontroller 1130.In such embodiments, the microcontroller 1010 may receive the data andperform one or more actions based on the data. For example, in oneembodiment, the microcontroller 1010 may cause an association betweenone or more decoders and stations to be stored, for example within thememory 1014. In a further embodiment, the programming cartridge maysimply pass through the signals from the reader 1000 to themicrocontroller 1010 and the microcontroller 1010 at the front panel 112may interpret the signals to attain the data corresponding to thesignal. In yet another embodiment, the reader 1000 may send data that isalready in the form which can be processed by the microcontroller 1010and/or microcontroller 1130.

As described in further detail below, in some embodiments, decoders andsensor-decoders will include barcodes that indicate the address of theparticular device. Additionally, barcode stickers may be placed next tothe stations/master valves/sensor numbers. In some embodiments, the useris able to scan barcoded decoders and sensor-decoders, and also scan thebarcode for the station/master valve/sensor that the user would like toassociate each decoder (or sensor-decoder) with. In some embodiments,the barcodes may be scanned in any order. In one embodiment, once theuser has scanned all of the barcodes for the decoder addresses as wellas the station/master valve and sensor numbers, the decoder addressesand the associations to specific stations, master valves and/or sensorsmay be transferred to the front panel 112. Thus, the user is able tobuild an accurate list of the addresses (and associated stations, etc.)for the front panel of all decoder devices before or after they areinstalled. This will serve as an alternative to embodiments where theusers have to manually enter the addresses of each decoder device andassociated stations. In several embodiments, a test barcode may beprovided that allows the user to verify that the barcode scannerfunctionality of the programming cartridge 134 is properly workingand/or to configure the barcode reader or scanner, for example, asdescribed further below.

Referring next to FIGS. 3A and 3B, a programming chart 300 isillustrated according to one or more embodiments of the presentinvention. According to several embodiments, the programming chartprovides an aid for programming a decoder-based controller, such ascontroller 110. In several embodiments, the programming chart comprisesviewable indicia printed onto a medium. For example, as illustrated, inone or more embodiments, the programming chart 300 comprises a bookletmade up of a medium such as paper, paper like material, plastic materialetc., having a chart printed thereon. In another embodiment, where thechart may be computerized, and adapted to be displayed on a portabledevice such as a PDA, portable computer, etc, the medium may comprise acomputer display surface or screen or other types of electronicdisplays. It should be noted that these are merely examples of media andthat the programming chart may comprise other types of media. In severalembodiments, the printing on the pages of the specific portion may bebroadly characterized as viewable indicia on the medium. In otherembodiments, viewable indicia may be the illumination of pixels ordisplay elements of a display surface or screen. In one embodiment, theprogramming chart may comprise a first medium and second medium, eachhaving a thickness. In one embodiment, for example, the programmingchart comprises a first medium having viewable indicia thereon defininga specific portion 310 having a thickness, and a second medium havingviewable indicia thereon defining a global portion 320 having athickness. In one embodiment, the thickness of the first medium isdifferent than the thickness of the second medium. For example, in someembodiments the second medium has a thickness that is greater than thethickness of the first medium.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, in one or more embodiments, theprogramming chart 300 comprises a station specific portion 310 and aglobal portion 320. In some embodiments, the station specific portion310 comprises a plurality of pages 314 each having printed thereon anumber of rows and columns. In one embodiment, each row corresponds to aspecific station while the columns comprise information regarding thestations. In one or more embodiments, the station specific portion 310is a booklet having a front cover (not shown) and a back cover 340 andseveral pages 314, and being bound in such a manner that can be laid outto display two adjacent pages 316 a and 316 b side-by-side, whereininformation specific to each station spans the two adjacent pages. Inthis illustrated embodiment, the global portion 320 is printed on a flap330 foldably coupled to the back cover 340.

FIG. 4 provides a detailed illustration of one embodiment of thespecific portion 310. As illustrated, in one embodiment, a column 312 aof the specific portion 310 comprises a preprinted barcode correspondingto the station or station number. In one embodiment, another column 312b indicates station numbers in numerical order. That is, in oneembodiment, the column 312 a comprises a barcode representing the givenstation number of column 312 b. In one embodiment, the preprintedbarcode further comprises an identifier, which is used to indicate thatthe specific barcode is a station number barcode. In an alternativeembodiment, station number barcodes may not be preprinted, instead,barcodes may be provided with each station and/or valve and will berecorded onto column 312 b, for example at the time the station isassociated with a decoder. In another embodiment, column 312 b may notcomprise barcodes, and the user will have to hand write or enter thestation number manually into the designated area in column 312 b. Insome embodiments, another column 312 c comprises an area for recording astation decoder address. That is, each decoder 130 of the system 100comprises at least one address (e.g., a serial number) programmed thatis unique to that decoder and is programmed or assigned duringmanufacturing.

In one embodiment, the user may manually enter the number onto thechart, i.e. handwrite the number or enter it using an input device. Inanother embodiment, the decoders 130 are provided with at least onebarcode corresponding to the specific decoder address. In oneembodiment, where a decoder is capable of supporting a number ofstations/master valves and/or sensors, for each of the availableconnections a specific barcode with a specific decoder address isprovided. For example, FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary decoder barcode352 having been applied to the programming chart 300. The decoderbarcode 352 may correspond to an address of one of the decoders 130 a-nhaving been associated with the station number 1 of the system 100.Furthermore, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a barcode 354 is provided.Barcode 354 indicates the number of the station having been associatedwith a decoder, in this example, station number 1. When the barcodes 352and 354 are scanned into the system the controller will recognize thestation number and decoder address and will further determine that theyhave been associated with one another. In another embodiment, thestation number barcode 352 may not be provided. That is, the associationof the decoder with a specific station may be registered using onlydecoder barcodes. In one embodiment for example, the user may scan thedecoder barcodes in numerical order, such that the scanning will resultin the first barcode scanned in being associated with station number 1and so forth. In yet another embodiment, the user may be able to selectthe station number manually and then scan in the barcode of the decoderbeing associated with that station number.

For example, FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary decoder according to oneembodiment of the invention. As illustrated, decoder 130 comprisesconnections 820. The decoder 130 is shown as having 6 connections,however, it should be understood that the decoder is capable ofsupporting any number of connections. For example, in one embodiment,one or more decoders may support only a single connection, while inother embodiments one or more decoders may support up to fourconnections. As illustrated in FIG. 8, a barcode 830 is provided foreach connection supported by the decoder 130. The barcode may furthercomprise a decoder identifier such that when it is scanned by the userit is recognized by the controller 110 as a decoder address. While a 2Dbarcode is shown in FIG. 8, in several different embodiments, differenttypes of machine readable address indicators and/or labels may beprovided with the decoder. For example, 3D barcodes, optically readablepatterns, electromagnetically readable devices such RFID tags, etc., maybe provided in lieu of the barcodes 830 illustrated in FIG. 8. Each ofsuch machine readable address labels may be further provided with adecoder identifier such that when it is scanned by the user it isrecognized by the controller 110 as a decoder address.

At the time of installation, when decoders 130 are associated with aspecific station, master valve or sensor, the user can remove thebarcode provided with the decoder or decoder connection and place thebarcode next to the station number for the specific station (forexample, in column 312 c), and or alternatively in the area designatedfor the specific master valve and/or sensor (described in more detailbelow). In some embodiments, after association of all of the decodersusing the programming chart 300, the user is able to take the chart tothe controller with an attached barcode reader, and scan decoderbarcodes, and also scan the barcode for the station/master valve/sensorcoupled to each decoder or sensor-decoder. In some embodiments, thebarcodes may be scanned in any order. In one embodiment, once the userhas scanned all of the barcodes, the addresses may be transferred to thefront panel 112.

Thus, the user is able to automatically build an accurate list of theaddresses (and associated stations, etc.) for the front panel of alldecoder devices after they are associated with stations, master valvesand/or sensors. As a result, the user will successfully and efficientlyprogram the controller. In addition, the user does not need to worryabout errors in entering the addresses manually. Additionally, the userwill be able to install the controller, such as controller 110 at anytime during the process in comparison to a some controllers where thecontroller must be installed before the in field installation of thedecoders and the associations between the decoders and stations/mastervalves and/or sensors must be predesignated before the in fieldinstallation. Furthermore, this will serve as an alternative toembodiments where the users have to manually enter the addresses of eachdecoder device and associated stations/master valves and/or sensors, andtherefore, provides for a faster and easier way to program thecontroller while avoiding any human error that may occur during manualprogramming of the controller.

In addition to this information, columns are provided to recordinformation specific to each station such as valve type, decoder model,the specific master valve used by the specific station, station flowrate, whether the station obeys a local sensor, whether the stationobeys a weather sensor and further which weather sensor the stationobeys, flow zone source, station description, station priority, stationcycle time, station soak time, and run time for the one or moreprograms, such as programs A, B, C and D illustrated in FIG. 4. Inseveral embodiments, all information in the station specific portion 310is information specific to each station (in each row) of the stationspecific portion 310.

Referring back to FIGS. 3A and 3B, in one embodiment, the global portion320 comprises a flap 330 having printed thereon global or generalinformation pertaining to all of the stations. FIGS. 5C and 5D providean exemplary embodiment of the general portion flap according to severalembodiments of the present invention. In one embodiment, the globalportion flap 330 is attached to or an extension of the back cover 340.In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 5C, the global portion flap330 folds about a fold line 350 joining the flap 330 to the back cover340. As shown in FIG. 5C, the global portion flap 330 is adapted to foldover into the inside of the cover 340. Furthermore, as illustrated inFIG. 5D, the flap 330 is adapted to rotate from the back onto the frontof the chart 300, such that when rotated to the front, the first orfront side 332 of the flap 330 is visible to the user simultaneouslywith the specific portion, and when rotated to the back about the axis370 the second or back side 334 of the flap 330 is visible to the usersimultaneously with the specific portion. Accordingly, in severalembodiments, the design of the global portion flap 330 allows the userto view the first side and or second side while the user is viewinginformation pertaining to a single station, without having to move awayfrom the specific information of the station being viewed.

In one embodiment, the global information is recorded on the globalportion 320 to assist in filling out the information specific to thecontroller and/or each station. In one embodiment, global portion 320has information printed thereon on both sides of the flap 330. In oneembodiment, the information on each side of the flap 330 is specific tothe corresponding side of the specific portion 310 such that thespecific page the user can view the corresponding global information toassist in filling out the specific information for each station.

As described above, in some embodiments, the specific portion 310 isextended across two adjacent pages 316 a and 316 b in a booklet form. Inone or more of such embodiments, the global portion is printed such thatit comprises a first side 332 and a second side 334. Furthermore, insome embodiments, the global portion may be moved from the first side ofthe specific portion booklet, to the second side of the specific portionbooklet as illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B and FIG. 5D. As shown in FIGS.3A and 3B and FIG. 5D, the general portion is designed to move from afirst side 316 a of the specific portion 310 to a second side 316 b ofthe specific portion 310 about an axis 370. As shown, the movement issuch that when moved to a first side of the specific portion, a firstside of the two sided global portion 320, illustrated in FIG. 5A, isdisplayed, and when moved to the second side of the specific portion,the second side of the global portion 320, illustrated in FIG. 5B, isdisplayed.

In one embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 3A, 3B and 5D this is donesuch that while on the first side 332, the global portion 320 displaysglobal information pertaining to data that is viewable on the first side316 a of the specific portion 310, and while on the second side 334, theglobal portion 320 displays global information pertaining to data thatis viewable on the second side 316 b of the specific portion 310. Forexample, as illustrated in FIG. 3A, the second side of the globalportion 320 comprises information relevant to the data recorded on theright side 316 b of the booklet. Further, as shown in FIG. 3B, a firstside of the global portion 320 comprises information which is relevantto the data recorded on the left side 316 a of the booklet. FIGS. 5A and5B provide a detailed illustration of the global portion 320. In oneembodiment, FIG. 5A corresponds to a first side 332 of the globalportion 320, while FIG. 5B corresponds to a second side 334. Asillustrated in FIG. 5A, in one embodiment, the data displayed on a firstside 332 of the global portion 320 comprises, master valve manual waterwindow information including window open time, close time, maximum flowvalue, and active days. In further embodiments, information regardingdecoder models, system valve types, default system valve types, flowzone flow rates including for example maximum flow rates, default systemvalve types, system sensor types such as flow sensor types anddescriptions, and other information pertaining to stations, valves,master valves and sensors used within the system may be provided on theglobal portion. In one embodiment, the global portion further comprisesan indication of the units of measurement used, such as for example,pipe size unit of measurement and flow unit of measurement used, toprovide the user with consistency in entering data pertaining to eachstation into the specific portion 310 and further when programming thecontroller 110.

In one embodiment, information pertaining to decoder addresses coupledto the master valves and sensor decoders is also provided on the globalportion 320, and more specifically, according to several embodiments, onthe first side 332 of the global portion. In one embodiment, for eachmaster valve of the system 100, a master valve number, a master valvedecoder address, a description, master valve type, as well asinformation pertaining to whether the master valve is normally open orclose, and the water window in which the master valve is open in isrecorded onto the global portion 320. In one embodiment, similar to thedecoders coupled to the individual stations, the decoders coupled to themaster valve are provided with barcodes which record the decoder number,and the barcodes are removed from the decoder and fixed onto the globalportion 320. Furthermore, the master valve number may be preprinted ontothe global portion 320 as a barcode, or alternatively the master valvemay be provided with a barcode that can be recorded onto the chart. Insuch embodiments the master valve number barcode can be scanned into thesystem. In one embodiment, the decoder address barcode further comprisesa decoder identifier such that when it is scanned into the system usinga barcode scanner the system will recognize the scanned in data as abarcode address. In one embodiment, the master valve number barcodesimilarly comprises an identifier to indicate to the system that thescanned in information pertains to a master valve number.

While the exemplary embodiments throughout this specification refer to abarcode, it should be noted that in several different embodiments,different types of machine readable decoder address indicators andmaster valve number indicators may be used. For example, 3D barcodes,optically readable patterns other than barcodes, electromagneticallyreadable devices such RFID tags, etc., may be provided in lieu of thebarcodes 362 and 368 illustrated in FIG. 5A and barcode 830 illustratedin FIG. 8. Each of such machine readable address indicators and orlabels may be further provided with a decoder identifier such that whenit is scanned by the user it is recognized by the controller 110 as adecoder address. Similarly, each master valve number indicator maysimilarly be provided with a station identifier such that when it isscanned it is recognized by the controller 110 as a master valve number.

In one embodiment, the sensor decoder information, such as informationcorresponding to the sensor decoders 130 e and 130 g of FIG. 1 is alsoprinted onto the global portion 320. For example, in one embodiment, thesensor information includes the flow sensor decoder address, flow sensornumber, description, sensor type, as well as the master valve associatedwith the particular sensor. In one embodiment, the sensor decoders areeach provided with a barcode having printed thereon the address for thebarcode. Upon being installed and associated with a particular sensor,the barcode is fixed on to the area designated for the flow sensordecoder address, for example as shown in FIG. 5A, the barcode 366 isfixed onto an area designated for the flower sensor decoder address, andcan thereafter be scanned into the irrigation controller 110 using abarcode scanner. In one embodiment, the decoder address barcodecomprises an indicator to identify the barcode as being a decoderaddress.

In one embodiment, a sensor number may be preprinted onto the globalportion in the area designated for the sensor number, for example asshown in FIG. 5A, a barcode 364 is preprinted onto the area designatedfor the flow sensor number. In another embodiment, the barcode 364 maynot be preprinted, and may instead be provided with the sensor andrecorded onto the chart for example at the time the sensor is installedor associated with a decoder. In some embodiments, the barcode comprisesan identifier which indicates to the system when scanned in that thebarcode corresponds to a sensor number. In one embodiment, the systemcomprises a plurality of different types of sensors such as a flowsensor, weather sensor, etc. In another embodiment, the informationregarding the sensor including the senor decoder address, and sensornumber may be handwritten or otherwise recorded by a contractor or user.

Similar to programming the controller with station/decoder associations,at the time of installation, when decoders 130 are associated with amaster valve or sensor, the user can remove the barcode provided withthe decoder or decoder connection and place the barcode next to thestation number for the specific station (for example, in column 312 c),and or alternatively in the area designated for the specific mastervalve and/or sensor (described in more detail below). In someembodiments, after association of all of the decoders, the user is ableto take the chart to the controller with an attached barcode reader, andread or scan decoder barcodes, and in embodiments where barcodes areprovided for master valve or sensor numbers also scan the barcode forthe master valve/sensor coupled to each decoder or sensor-decoder. Insome embodiments, the barcodes may be scanned in any order. In oneembodiment, once the user has scanned all of the barcodes, the addressesmay be transferred to the front panel 112.

Thus, the user is able to automatically build an accurate list of theaddresses (and associated master valves and sensors) for the front panelof all decoder devices after they are associated with stations, mastervalves and/or sensors. As a result, the user will successfully andefficiently program the controller. In addition, the user does not needto worry about errors in entering the addresses manually. Additionally,the user will be able to install the controller, such as controller 110at any time during the process, in comparison to some controllers wherethe controller must be installed before the associations between thedecoders and master valves and/or sensors must be predesignated beforethe in field installation (e.g., in field installation may include theprocess of burying the decoders in the field) or where the informationmust be manually recorded and kept for later programming of thecontroller. Furthermore, this will serve as an alternative toembodiments where the users have to manually enter the addresses of eachdecoder device and associated master valves and/or sensors.

While the exemplary embodiments throughout this specification refer to abarcode, it should be noted that in several different embodiments,different types of machine readable decoder address indicators andsensor number indicators may be used. For example, 3D barcodes,optically readable patterns other than barcodes, electromagneticallyreadable devices such RFID tags, etc., may be provided in lieu of thebarcodes 364 and 366 illustrated in FIG. 5A and barcode 830 illustratedin FIG. 8. Each of such machine readable address labels may be furtherprovided with a decoder identifier such that when it is scanned by theuser it is recognized by the controller 110 as a decoder address.Similarly, each sensor number indicator may similarly be provided with asensor identifier such that when it is scanned it is recognized by thecontroller 110 as a sensor number.

As illustrated in FIG. 5B, In one embodiment, a second side 334 of theglobal portion 320 further comprises information regarding the monthlyseasonal adjustment percentage, and information regarding the irrigationprograms such as programs A,B,C and D illustrated in FIG. 5B. Forexample, in one embodiment, for each program, the global portioncomprises information including, program name, days to water, wateringstart times, seasonal and/or monthly seasonal adjustment, e.g.percentage to adjust regular watering, valve delays, maximum number ofsimultaneous stations, program water window start time, and programwater window end time. In some embodiments, the indication of days towater are specified in a number of different ways including wateringdays indicated based on day of the week for the program, a particularday cycle, even or odd days, including odd 31.

While, the global portion 320 is illustrated as being a two sidedportion, comprised as a flap 330, it may take on different forms, andmay further include a different section of the booklet. For example, inone embodiment, the global portion may be printed onto a back cover ofthe booklet, a front cover of the booklet, as a center fold out, etc.Furthermore, both the specific portion 310 and the global portion 320may comprise other information not listed above and the informationillustrated in the above figures are provided as examples of informationthat may be provided on the programming chart.

Returning to FIGS. 3A and 3B, in one embodiment, the specific portion310 is bound into a booklet, having a front cover (not shown) and a backcover 340 made up of a thicker material than the pages of the booklet toprovide the user, installing the units and filling in the information,support for writing onto the booklet specific portion pages. In oneembodiment, the flap is designed such that it is a part of or extendsfrom the back cover 340 as shown and described above with respect toFIGS. 5C and 5D. In one embodiment, the cover 340 is designed such thatthe upper portion of the back cover comprises the global portion 320. Inanother embodiment, the flap 330 may extend from the front cover of theprogramming chart 300.

Referring next to FIG. 6, a process 600 for use in programming anirrigation controller is illustrated. In step 610, during installation,a user or contractor associates one or more decoders 130 a-130 n withstations/master valves 140 and/or sensors 160. In one embodiment, theuser further couples or electrically connects the associated decodersand stations, master valves and sensors. In one embodiment, each decoder130 is adapted to support up to 6 stations, master valves and/orsensors. In another embodiment, a decoder may support up to 4 stations,master valves and/or sensors. In yet another embodiment, one or moredecoders 130 are adapted to support a single station, master valve orsensor. In yet a further embodiment, each decoder 130 is adapted tosupport up to n stations, master valves and/or sensors.

Next, in step 620, the decoder address associated with each station,master valve or sensor is recorded into the programming chart 300. Inone embodiment, where the decoder is coupled to a specific station, theinformation is recorded next to the station number for the station inthe specific portion 310. For example in one embodiment, the informationis recorded onto column 312 c in the specific row designated for thespecific station. In another embodiment, wherein the decoder isconnected to a master valve, the information is recorded onto the globalportion 320, and specifically, according to some embodiments, on a firstside 332, in the area designated for the specific master valve. Inanother embodiment, where the decoder is associated with a sensor, suchas a weather and/or flow sensor, the information is recorded onto theglobal portion 320, and specifically, according to some embodiments, ona first side 332, in the area designated for the specific sensor. In oneembodiment, the information being recorded is entered manually. In oneembodiment, for example, the user will hand enter the decoder addressbeing associated with each station, master valve and/or sensor. Forexample, the decoders 130 a-n, have addresses printed thereon and theuser will copy the address over to the chart by hand.

In an alternative embodiment, one or more of the decoders comprisebarcodes for each specific connection, as shown for example in FIG. 8.For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, in one embodiment, where decoders130 supports up to 6 stations, master valves and/or sensors, the decoderis provided with 6 barcodes 830 each corresponding to the address forone of the connections. In such embodiments, the user records theinformation by removing the barcode associated with the connectionassociated with the station/station, master valve and/or sensor, andplacing the barcode onto the chart as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5B.According to several embodiments, placing the barcode onto the chart maycomprise adhering the barcode, taping the barcode, etc. In oneembodiment, the barcode is printed in self-adhesive material and isapplied to the chart area.

Furthermore, during this step station numbers, master valve numbersand/or sensor numbers may also be recorded onto the programming chart.In one embodiment the numbers may be handwritten onto the chart orotherwise entered. In some embodiments, station, master valve and/orsensor number barcodes be provided with one or more stations/mastervalves 140 and sensors 160. The barcodes may be removed and recordedonto the chart for example at the time the sensor is installed, coupledand/or associated with a decoder.

While the exemplary embodiments throughout this specification refer to abarcode, it should be noted that in several different embodiments,different types of machine readable decoder address indicators may beused. For example, 3D barcodes, optically readable patterns other thanbarcodes, electromagnetically readable devices such RFID tags, etc., maybe provided in lieu of the barcodes. Each of such machine readableaddress labels may be further provided with a decoder identifier suchthat when it is scanned by the user it is recognized by the controller110 as a decoder address.

Next, in step 630, the user may record additional information pertainingto the specific station, master valve and or sensor into the specificportion 310 and/or global portion 320 of the chart. It should be notedthat this step in process 600 is optional, and is not necessarilyrequired for programming the irrigation controller. Instead, in someembodiments, the information recorded in this step serves the purpose ofproviding the user and or contractor with a visual representation of theoverall system. In one embodiment, this step may be performed at anystage during the installation, programming and/or operation of theirrigation controller 110 and/or system 100.

Next, in step 640 after the coupling of decoders 130 a-n in the fieldwith stations, master valves and/or sensors 160 in the field, andrecording of the information in the programming chart, the user willprogram the controller with the information available on the chart 300.

In some embodiments, after the association of decoders with stations,master valves and/or sensors and recording the decoder addresses and insome embodiments station numbers and other information, the user is ableto take the chart to the controller with an attached barcode reader, andscan decoder barcodes, and in some embodiments also scan the barcode forthe station/master valve/sensor coupled to each decoder orsensor-decoder. In some embodiments, the barcodes may be scanned in anyorder. In one embodiment, once the user has scanned all of the barcodes,the addresses may be transferred to the front panel 112.

Thus, the user is able to automatically build an accurate list of theaddresses (and associated stations, etc.) for the front panel of alldecoder devices after they are associated with stations, master valvesand/or sensors. As a result, the user will successfully and efficientlyprogram the controller. In addition, the user does not need to worryabout errors in entering the addresses manually. Additionally, the userwill be able to install the controller, such as controller 110 at anytime during the process, in comparison to a typical controller where thecontroller may have to be installed before the in field installation ofthe decoders and the associations between the decoders andstations/master valves and/or sensors must be predesignated before thein field installation. Furthermore, this will serve as an alternative toembodiments where the users have to manually enter the addresses of eachdecoder device and associated stations/master valves and/or sensors.

It should be noted that in several different embodiments, differenttypes of machine readable decoder address indicators and station numberindicators may be used in lieu of the 2D barcodes illustrated anddescribed with respect to exemplary embodiments. For example, 3Dbarcodes, optically readable patterns, electromagnetically readabledevices such RFID tags, etc., may be provided in lieu of the barcodes.Each of such machine readable address indicator may be further providedwith a decoder identifier such that when it is scanned by the user it isrecognized by the controller 110 as a decoder address. Similarly, eachstation number indicator may similarly be provided with a stationidentifier such that when it is scanned it is recognized by thecontroller 110 as a station number.

Referring next to FIG. 7, a more detailed process 700 for use inprogramming an irrigation controller is illustrated. In step 710, duringinstallation, a user or contractor associates one or more decoders 130a-130 n with stations/master valves 140 and/or sensors 160. In oneembodiment, association of a decoder to a station/master valve refers tothe user making decision to use a particular decoder to electricallyconnect to and control a particular station or master valve. In oneembodiment, the user further couples or electrically connects theassociated decoders and stations, master valves and sensors. In oneembodiment, one or more decoders 130 are adapted to support up to 6stations, master valves and/or sensors. In another embodiment, a decodermay support up to 4 stations, master valves and/or sensors. In anotherembodiment, one or more decoders 130 are adapted to support a singlestation.

Next, in step 720, the decoder barcode corresponding to the specificconnection being associated with the station, master valve and/or sensoris removed, and in step 730 the decoder barcode associated with eachstation, master valve or sensor is recorded into the programming chart300. In one embodiment, where the decoder is connected to a specificstation, the information is recorded next to the station number for thestation in the specific portion 310. For example in one embodiment, theinformation is recorded onto column 312 c in the specific row designatedfor the specific station. In another embodiment, wherein the decoder isconnected to a master valve, the information is recorded onto the globalportion 320, in the area designated for the specific master valve. Inanother embodiment, where one or more of the decoder is associated witha sensor, such as a weather and/or flow sensor, the information isrecorded onto the global portion 320, in the area designated for thespecific sensor. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 8, in oneembodiment, where the decoder 130 supports up to 6 stations, mastervalves and/or sensors, the decoder comprises 6 barcodes eachcorresponding to the address for one of the connections. In suchembodiments, the user will remove the barcode associated with theconnection associated with the station, master valve and/or sensor, andwill place the barcode onto the chart. According to several embodiments,placing the barcode onto the chart may comprise adhering the barcode,taping the barcode, etc. In one embodiment, the barcode is printed inself-adhesive material and is applied to the chart area.

Furthermore, during this step station numbers, master valve numbersand/or sensor numbers may also be recorded onto the programming chart.In one embodiment the numbers may be handwritten onto the chart orotherwise entered. In some embodiments, station, master valve and/orsensor number barcodes be provided with one or more stations/mastervalves 140 and sensors 160. The barcodes may be removed and recordedonto the chart for example at the time the sensor is installed, coupledand/or associated with a decoder.

It should be noted that in several different embodiments, differenttypes of machine readable decoder address indicators and station numberindicators may be used. For example, 3D barcodes, optically readablepatterns, electromagnetically readable devices such RFID tags, etc., maybe provided in lieu of the 2D barcodes described with respect toexemplary embodiments and illustrated in several figures. Each machinereadable address indicator may be further provided with a decoderidentifier such that when it is scanned by the user it is recognized bythe controller 110 as a decoder address. Similarly, eachmachine-readable station number indicator may similarly be provided witha station identifier such that when it is scanned it is recognized bythe controller 110 as a station number.

Next, in step 740, the user may record additional information pertainingto the specific station, master valve and or sensor into the specificportion and/or global portion of the chart. It should be noted that thisstep in process 700 is optional, and is not necessarily required forprogramming the irrigation controller. Instead, in some embodiments, theinformation recorded in this step serves the purpose of providing theuser and/or contractor with a visual representation of the overallsystem. In one embodiment, this step may be performed at any stageduring the installation, programming and/or operation of the irrigationsystem 100 and controller 110.

Next, in step 750 after the association of the decoders 130 a-n withstations/master valves 140 and/or sensors 160, and recording of theinformation in the programming chart, the user will program thecontroller with the information available on the chart 300.

In some embodiments, after association and/or coupling of all of thedecoders and recording the information into the programming chart 300,the user is able to take the chart to the controller with an attachedbarcode reader, and scan decoder barcodes, and also scan the barcode forthe station/master valve/sensor coupled to each decoder orsensor-decoder. In some embodiments, the barcodes may be scanned in anyorder. In one embodiment, once the user has scanned all of the barcodes,the addresses may be transferred to the front panel 112.

Thus, the user is able to automatically build an accurate list of theaddresses (and associated stations, etc.) for the front panel of alldecoder devices after they are associated with stations, master valvesand/or sensors. As a result, the user will successfully and efficientlyprogram the controller. In addition, the user does not need to worryabout errors in entering the addresses manually. Additionally, the userwill be able to install the controller, such as controller 110 at anytime during the process, in comparison to some controllers where thecontroller may have to be installed before the in field installation ofthe decoders and the associations between the decoders andstations/master valves and/or sensors must be predesignated before thein field installation. Furthermore, this will serve as an alternative toembodiments where the users have to manually enter the addresses of eachdecoder device and associated stations/master valves and/or sensors.

FIG. 9 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a reader 1000 in the formof a barcode pen 900 coupled to the decoder-based controller 110.

In some embodiments barcode pen 900 may be used with the abovedecoder-based controller and programming chart according to severalembodiments. In one embodiment the Unitech MS100-2 barcode pen with 9pin (female) serial connector may be used. In one embodiment, a barcodepen 900 comprises a pen 910 and a connector cable 920. In oneembodiment, the connector cable comprises a serial connector 930 forconnecting to the decoder-based controller. In some embodiments, thebarcode pen 900 is used to carryout the methods described above forprogramming the irrigation controller using the programming chart 300.

In one embodiment the barcode pen 900 may be removably connected to thedecoder-based controller 110 by means of an extension connector cable940. In one embodiment, for example, the connector cable 940 may beplugged onto a connection jack, i.e. connector 1120 at the front panelor at the programming cartridge 134. For example, in one embodiment, theconnector jack may be placed on the backside of the programmingcartridge 134. In such embodiments, the connector cable 940 is thenattached to the barcode pen 900.

In one embodiment for example, the connector cable 940 comprises serialconnector 950, configured to receive the connector 930 of the scannerpen cable 920. For example, in one embodiment, the scanner pen cable 920comprises a 9 pin female connector and the connector cable comprises a 9pin male serial connector. In such embodiments, the serial connector 930of the scanner pen cable 920 is attached to the connector cable serialconnector 950. In such embodiments, by using a cable connector having aconnection means that can be connected to the programming cartridge onone side, and a connector that may be attached to the barcode pen cableon the other side, any scanner pen may be purchased separate from thecontroller unit and used to perform one or more of the methods andprocesses described with respect to the present invention. In anotherembodiment, the barcode pen may be directly attachable to the controllerwithout the use of a cable connector.

After connecting the barcode pen 900 to the decoder-based controller110, in one embodiment, the barcode pen 900 may be setup by the user. Inone embodiment, the barcode pen may be set up using one or more barcodesprovided that can be scanned by the scanner pen 900 and will cause thecontroller to recognize the scanner pen 900 and perform the set upprocess. For example, in one embodiment, a programming guide for thecontroller may comprise a Barcode Scanning Pen set up Barcode forsetting up the barcode scanning pen. In some embodiments, there may be afirst set up barcode and a second set up barcode available for settingup the barcode scanning 900. In one embodiment, each of the first andsecond set up barcode may correspond to a set of instructions and oridentifiers needed for setting up the barcode. For example, in oneembodiment, the set up barcodes may comprise an identifier of thebarcode reader, barcode type, etc. In one embodiment, the set upbarcodes may comprise information needed to configure the reader to beable to read the types of labels or barcodes used on the decoders,sensors, stations, or otherwise used according to one or moreembodiments. For example, in one embodiment, the reader is notoriginally configured to read the specific types of barcodes that areused with connection to the programming chart and/or the decoders andsensors. In one embodiment, the barcodes provide for configuration ofthe reader such that the configuration process may be completed withoutany human error.

In one embodiment, after the first and/or second set up barcode arescanned using the pen the barcode pen 900 is ready for use. In a furtherembodiment, after connecting and setting up the barcode pen 900, thedecoder-based controller 110 comprises a setting for allowing thetesting of the barcode pen. For example in one embodiment, thecontroller comprises a dial that is used to select a setting that allowstesting the barcode pen 900 to ensure that the scanner pen has been setup correctly. In one embodiment, upon selecting the setting, a menu maybe provided to the user where the user may be able to choose to test thebarcode scanner. Next, in one embodiment, the user may be provided withinstructions for steps to take to test the barcode pen. For example, inone embodiment, the user may be prompted to scan a station number fromthe programming chart 300. In one embodiment, the scanning of thestation number will result in a message showing that the scanning wassuccessful, which will indicate that the barcode pen 900 has beencorrectly connected and set up.

The barcode pen 900 may be used in different embodiments to provide theirrigation controller with the capability to read and processinformation provided on different items, labels, charts, decoders, etc.The above programming chart and method of using the programming chart toprogram the irrigation controller provides one example of how thebarcode pen may be used, but does not limit the use of the barcode pen900. In other embodiment, the barcode pen may be used in conjunctionwith alternative charts and or may be used independently to provide theirrigation controller with a wide array of information which may bepresented in the form of a barcode and/or other optically orelectromagnetically readable label. As described above, for example, insome embodiments, the barcode pen 900 may be used by the irrigationcontroller to set up different devices, and/or for testing devices, etc.In some embodiment, a barcode may be used to cause the program to entera learning mode and or other modes of operation.

It should be understood that the barcode pen is used herein forillustration purposes, and that any smart label reader such as anyoptical or electromagnetic reader, RFID reader, barcode scanner or otherreader capable of reading a 2D barcode, 3D barcode, RFID tag, opticallyreadable tag, electromagnetically readable tag or similar indicator maybe used in conjunction with the methods and apparatuses described withrespect to the present invention.

While the invention herein disclosed has been described by means ofspecific embodiments, examples and applications thereof, numerousmodifications and variations could be made thereto by those skilled inthe art without departing from the scope of the invention set forth inthe claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A decoder-based irrigation controller comprising:a controller housing; a first microcontroller within the controllerhousing and configured to execute irrigation schedule and controloperation of the decoder-based irrigation controller; a decoderinterface coupled to the first microcontroller, the decoder interface isconfigured to encode control data onto a power signal to be applied to amulti-wire control path to which each of a plurality of decoder unitswill be coupled, wherein the control data is based on execution of theirrigation schedule; and a handheld user device comprising an opticalimaging device configured to read an optically readable pattern fromeach of the plurality of decoder units, wherein the handheld user deviceis configured to cause data read from the optically readable pattern ofthe plurality of decoder units to be transferred to the firstmicrocontroller, and wherein the data comprises an address of each ofthe plurality of decoder units.
 2. The decoder-based irrigationcontroller of claim 1, wherein the handheld user device iscommunicatively coupled to the first microcontroller.
 3. Thedecoder-based irrigation controller of claim 1, wherein the data is atleast processed by the first microcontroller.
 4. The decoder-basedirrigation controller of claim 1, wherein one or more addresses of theplurality of decoder units are associated with a computerized chart. 5.The decoder-based irrigation controller of claim 4, wherein thecomputerized chart is displayable on a portable computer.
 6. Thedecoder-based irrigation controller of claim 1, wherein the firstmicrocontroller is further configured to record an association of one ormore station numbers with one or more addresses of the plurality ofdecoder units in a memory coupled to the first microcontroller.
 7. Thedecoder-based irrigation controller of claim 6, further comprising auser interface comprising a display coupled to the firstmicrocontroller, wherein the first microcontroller is configured tocause the display of the association of at least one of the one or moreaddresses of the plurality of decoder units and the one or more stationnumbers.
 8. The decoder-based irrigation controller of claim 1, whereinthe first microcontroller is further configured to perform an action atthe decoder-based irrigation controller according to the data.
 9. Thedecoder-based irrigation controller of claim 1, wherein the actioncomprises recording an association of one or more addresses of theplurality of decoder units with one or more station numbers.
 10. Thedecoder-based irrigation controller of claim 1, wherein the actionfurther comprises one or more of programming the decoder-basedirrigation controller or causing the decoder-based irrigation controllerto enter a different mode of operation.
 11. The decoder-based irrigationcontroller of claim 1, wherein the handheld user device comprises amobile barcode reader.
 12. The decoder-based irrigation controller ofclaim 1, wherein the handheld user device comprises an electromagneticreader and an RFID tag reader.
 13. The decoder-based irrigationcontroller of claim 1, wherein a removable plug-in device is configuredto fit removably and detachably into the controller housing, and whereinthe handheld user device is configured to communicatively couple to theremovable plug-in device to transfer the data to the firstmicrocontroller.
 14. A method for use with a decoder-based irrigationcontroller, the method comprising: reading, by an optical imaging deviceof a handheld user device, an optically readable pattern from each of aplurality of decoder units to be associated with the decoder-basedirrigation controller, wherein the decoder-based irrigation controllercomprises a housing and a first microcontroller configured to executeirrigation schedule and control operation of the decoder-basedirrigation controller, wherein the decoder-based irrigation controllerfurther comprises a decoder interface configured to encode control dataonto a power signal to be applied to a multi-wire control path to whicheach of the plurality of decoder units will be coupled, wherein thecontrol data is based on execution of the irrigation schedule; andcausing, by the handheld user device, data read from the opticallyreadable pattern of the plurality of decoder units to be transferred tothe first microcontroller, wherein the data comprises an address of eachof the plurality of decoder units.
 15. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising: receiving the data at the first microcontroller; andperforming, by the first microcontroller, an action at the decoder-basedirrigation controller according to the received data.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, wherein the action comprises one or more of programming thedecoder-based irrigation controller or causing the decoder-basedirrigation controller to enter a different mode of operation.
 17. Themethod of claim 14, further comprising communicating, by the firstmicrocontroller, irrigation commands through the decoder interface ofthe decoder-based irrigation controller to control at least one of theplurality of decoder units.
 18. The method of claim 14, furthercomprising encoding, by the decoder interface of the decoder-basedirrigation controller, data on the power signal delivered to the atleast one of the plurality of decoder units.
 19. The method of claim 14,further comprising recording, by the first microcontroller, anassociation of one or more station numbers with one or more addresses ofthe plurality of decoder units in a memory coupled to the firstmicrocontroller.
 20. The method of claim 19, further comprising causingdisplay of the association of at least one of the one or more addressesof the plurality of decoder units and the one or more station numbers ona display coupled to the first microcontroller.
 21. The method of claim14, wherein the handheld user device comprises a mobile barcode reader.22. The method of claim 14, wherein the handheld user device comprisesan electromagnetic reader and an RFID tag reader.
 23. The method ofclaim 14, further comprising communicatively coupling the handheld userdevice with a removable plug-in device to transfer the data to the firstmicrocontroller, wherein the removable plug-in device fits removably anddetachably into the housing.